University of Colorado Boulder

NASA

Ben07/31/2018
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (July 27, 2018) – As part of the redesigned Saratoga Wine and Food Festival, both of the ultra-rare, $40-million-plus 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantics will be together on site at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for the first time in more than 15 years. The Atlantics will be part of the 2018 International Bugatti Tour taking place in Saratoga Springs, in which there will be more than 80 Bugattis ranging from classic to modern-day models. This is the first time the tour has taken place in the United States in nearly a decade, and the first time ever in New York State. Considered the “Mona Lisa” of automobiles, the Type 57SC Atlantic is considered among the very best of pre-war Europe. Jean Bugatti, the son of Bugatti founder Ettore Bugatti, created the Aérolithe concept, making its debut in Paris in 1935. It was well-before its time, made out of a light but flammable magnesium alloy called Elektron; therefore the body panels were riveted externally. Beneath the body was a new chassis (T57) and a new double overhead-cam engine, making the Aérolithe the most advanced car of its time. After the Aérolithe show car, Bugatti only produced four supercharged Atlantic coupes using aluminum instead of magnesium while keeping the rivets. Powered by supercharged 3,257 cc inline-8 engines, these 170-plus horsepower cars could do north of 120 m.p.h. Today, two cars remain. One belongs to the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxford, Ca. and the other is owned by fashion mogul Ralph Lauren. The last time both vehicles were together was at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California. The Atlantics’ appearance was made possible through the American Bugatti Club, Alan Rosenblum, and the Saratoga Automobile Museum. The Mullin Atlantic: It was delivered to Lord Victor Rothschild in England on Sept. 2, 1936. Three years later, in 1939, Mr. Rothschild had the Bugatti factory install a Roots supercharger from a Type 55 engine, upgrading the model to a Type 57SC. Having blown up the engine, he nevertheless kept the car in storage in England until 1941, when he sold it to his countryman Mr. T.P. Tunnard Moore. Mr. Moore and Robert Arbuthnot, a sometime racer at Brooklands, were partners at High Speed Motors of London. At some point, Mr. Moore sold the car to Arbuthnot, who in turn sold it in to Rodney Clarke of Continental Cars, Ltd., in 1944. A year later, Mr. Clarke sold the Type 57SC to Mr. Robert Oliver, a wealthy American doing duty in France as a member of the US Army Medical Corps. In August 1946, Mr. Oliver had 57374 shipped to the United States, where he received it in New York and proceeded to drive it home to Los Angeles. In 1953, Mr. Oliver shipped the car back to the Bugatti factory, where its engine was completely rebuilt and the correct Type 57SC supercharger and hydraulic brakes were installed. Following Mr. Oliver’s passing the Atlantic was sold in 1971 through public auction to Dr. Peter Williamson who paid an unprecedented $59,000. Following refurbishment, the car was shown at Pebble Beach in 2003 and won “Best in Show”. In 2010 the Williamson family sold the Atlantic to a buyer from whom the car is graciously on loan. The Lauren Atlantic: It was ordered by English barrister Richard B. Pope, who was also an amateur tennis champion. Great Britain was Bugatti’s best export market, and Pope was the company’s most devoted British customer. The Atlantic was his tenth Bugatti, as he ordered a new model whenever they came out. The most distinctive feature of its almost sinister body is the exposed seams with button head rivets running down the spine and around the fenders. This construction technique came about because the magnesium alloy used in an earlier Bugatti models was problematic to weld. Although the Atlantic’s aluminum body presented no such obstacle, designer Jean Bugatti retained the riveted seams for aesthetic reasons. Revered Bugatti historian Hugh Conway found the Atlantic “extraordinary, bizarre and interesting, but not perhaps beautiful in any normal sense.” The car is, in its essence, a fluid natural form to which Jean Bugatti deftly added his own flamboyant touches. Ralph Lauren purchased the vehicle in 1988, in which it underwent a restoration from 1989 to 1991. “Hosting the only two Atlantic cars in the world – which haven’t been together in 15 years – on our grounds at Saratoga Performing Arts Center is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community and for lovers of fine cars from around the globe to experience their beauty. These rare and exquisite automobiles represent a significant piece of history that will shine against the backdrop of our park’s opulent reflecting pool, set within the Roosevelt Campus of the Spa State Park,” said Elizabeth Sobol, president & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “We are grateful to the American Bugatti Club, Alan Rosenblum and the Saratoga Automobile Museum for making this exceptional viewing possible.” “There are occasions in one’s life that can be considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Having these two Bugatti Atlantics together for the first time in 15 years is truly an incredible opportunity for not just Saratoga Springs but for all of New York State. My thanks to Alan Rosenblum and the American Bugatti Club for making this fantasy become reality,” said Carly Connors, executive director of the Saratoga Automobile Museum. “Securing the second Atlantic is huge for us. We’ve revamped the festival on so many levels, and having this addition completes the experience in the best way. We are looking forward to being the first event to host these two iconic Bugattis together for the first time in 15 years. It’s safe to say that guests are in for a thrilling and magical weekend,” said Colin Cowie of Colin Cowie Lifestyle. Held in the beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park, the weekend is anchored by four events: an Adirondack Road Tour and Luncheon, Friday’s Fired Up! Grill Competition with Chef David Burke and Red Sox legend David Ortiz, Saturday’s Grand Tasting and—for the first time— brunch with Colin Cowie and Todd English. Presented in partnership with the Saratoga Automobile Museum, proceeds from the festival benefit education programming at SPAC and the Museum. For more information about the Saratoga Automobile Museum, visit saratogaautomuseum.org. FESTIVAL EVENTS FRIDAY, SEPT. 7 Adirondack Road Tour & Gourmet Luncheon | 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m This spirited road rally is a professionally led tour winding through the beautiful Adirondack Mountain roads to finish at the historic Lake George Club. Named “The Queen of American Lakes” by none other than Ben Franklin, the surrounding area is stunning with twisty roads, full of elevation changes and scenic views. Gourmet lunch includes quality wines, imported fine foods and good company with fellow automotive enthusiasts. Event price: $100 Fired Up! Grill Competition featuring Special Guests David Burke & David Ortiz| 7:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. At Fired Up! Grill Competition, the kick-off event to the weekend’s events at SPAC, chefs from the Capital Region’s finest restaurants will battle it out for the Fired Up! title as guests enjoy great music, gourmet food, BBQ, a cold refreshing Stella Artois, wines and spirits. Guests will help celebrity judge David Burke, along with 3 more celebrity judges (to be named at a later date), to name the 2018 Saratoga Grill Master by sampling inventive grill-off creations. Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz will also make a special guest appearance at the event. Event price: $100 David Ortiz Meet and Greet | 7 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. During the Friday night event, David Ortiz will host a meet and greet for 100 people who will have their pictures taken individually with the baseball hero and receive a signed promotional photograph. This opportunity will be available to the first 100 people who purchase a specially priced Fired Up! ticket at $150. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, a charity which funds pediatric services for children in New England and the Dominican Republic. Event price: $150 Party with Big Papi in VIP Nightclub| 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Following the private meet and greet, David Ortiz will host a VIP experience in the VIP Nightclub, overlooking the Spa State Park reflecting pool from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will feature an opportunity to mingle with the baseball legend and other guests while enjoying Arias wines and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. All of the guests will receive an autographed bottle of Arias. Event price: $200 SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 Grand Tasting | Saturday, Sept 8, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday will showcase the festival’s elegance through an exclusive Bugatti auto display, curated food, wine, events and activities. Guests will have the chance to taste New York’s finest creations and VIP guests can enhance their sommelier skills in the VIP lounge. The main stage will host speeches, special guest appearances, live music and an “Iron Chef”-styled competition featuring James Beard Award-winning chef, David Burke. Burke will have a presence with a taste of dishes from Tavern62, David Burke Kitchen, and Woodpecker by David Burke. Cost to attend the Grand Tasting is $100. A VIP Grand Tasting ticket, which allows earlier entry to the Grand Tasting and exclusive access to the VIP area, is available for $175. SUNDAY, SEPT. 9 Brunch with Colin Cowie & Celebrity Chef Todd English| Sunday, Sept 9, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Colin Cowie and celebrity chef and reality TV star Todd English will co-host a lively, upbeat brunch showcasing Colin’s “five-senses” approach to events including: custom scent consultations, floral and table design examples, lively music by On The Move, and a phenomenal menu with delectable bites and cocktails. A never ending supply of Whispering Angel Rose with specialty cocktails by the Cocktail Architect, Yusef Austin, will be featured for this daytime party with a nighttime vibe. Event price: $225 About The Saratoga Wine and Food Festival: The Saratoga Wine and Food Festival is Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s primary fundraiser for its educational programming, including Classical Kids, a collaborative program in which SPAC works with local schools to teach elementary and middle school-aged children about the classical performing arts. SPAC both designs and teaches dance and music curriculums that educate young students about the world-class performances presented at SPAC. Following classroom studies, SPAC hosts students at a summertime performance of the work that they studied. Graduates of Classical Kids receive two free tickets to a SPAC classical performance annually until they graduate from high school. Tickets to the events are now on sale. For more information about the festival, visit spac.org. About the Saratoga Automobile Museum: The Saratoga Automobile Museum was organized in 1999, and opened to the public in 2002. The Museum’s mission is to preserve, interpret and exhibit automobiles and automotive artifacts. We celebrate the automobile and educate the general public, students and enthusiasts regarding the role of the automobile in New York State and in the wider world. In addition to technical and design aspects, our educational focus is on the past, present and future social and economic impact of the automobile. The Museum is located within the 2,500 acre Saratoga Spa State Park, in the heart of historic Saratoga Springs, New York, world famous for its legendary, much honored one-mile thoroughbred track. The museum’s facility is the totally restored and renovated Saratoga Bottling Plant, a beautiful neo-classic structure built in 1934. The Museum is adjacent to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and near the landmark Gideon Putnam Hotel. Within walking distance in the Park are the National Museum of Dance, the Spa Little Theatre and the lavish Hall of Springs banquet facility. saratogaautomuseum.org